Table 3 Main findings regarding fatigue - common themes among different groups
From: Fatigue in Egyptian patients with rheumatic diseases: a qualitative study
Item | Common themes | Groups | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
Description and causes of fatigue. | Overwhelming physical tiredness with consequences on difficulties to move | Common in all groups: RA, AxSpA and fibromyalgia | I feel that my body is broken and every movement is as if I was moving a mountain |
The need to rest more | RA and fibromyalgia | In the morning when I see my kids, I already feel tired and I even feel that I did not want to wake up | |
A sense of freezing of the body | AxSpA | When I have fatigue, my body is wooden and I move with difficulty | |
A toxin in the body | RA and AxSpA | It is toxic in my body, everything becomes difficult | |
Fatigue and pain | Close association between fatigue and pain | Common in all groups: RA, AxSpA and fibromyalgia | Â |
Daily patterns of fatigue | Fatigue is more in the morning | AxSpA | When I get up I feel that I am very tired and I wait for one hour to be able to move |
Fatigue is more in the evening | RA, AxSpA | At the end of the day when I have finished my tasks I feel that my body is broken | |
No special daily patterns | Fibromyalgia | Â | |
Consequences of fatigue | Fatigue affected physical activity to the extent that participants did their work only minimally | Common in all groups: RA, AxSpA and fibromyalgia | I do important things only |
Social activities became limited to the close family and to very important occasions. | RA and fibromyalgia (female only) | I go to weddings and condolence gatherings only, because of my fatigue | |
Fatigue affected leisure activities markedly | RA and fibromyalgia | I forget what leisure means | |
| Â | A difficulty in reaching the place of work | Common in all groups: RA, AxSpA and fibromyalgia | I can hardly walk to my work though it is only about 30Â min |
| Â | Women told their husbands to marry again | RA and fibromyalgia | I asked my husband to marry again, he needs a healthy woman and I am too tired |
| Â | A decrease in male sexual activity | AxSpA | I get fatigued easily and this is a problem for my sexual life |
Coping strategies | Dividing big tasks into smaller multiple tasks | Common in all groups: RA, AxSpA and fibromyalgia | Â |
| Â | Getting help from family members | RA | My mother and sisters help me to complete my daily tasks |